Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This week (26 February – 3 March) is Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from these illnesses, many in secret. Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder and anorexia but this year for Eating Disorder Awareness Week we are shining a light on Avoidant/Restricted Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

ARFID is a largely unknown and misunderstood eating disorder that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. This health condition is different from other feeding or eating disorders; people with ARFID do not avoid or restrict their food intake due to beliefs about weight and body shape.

Instead, the condition often presents in these ways:

• Some children and adults find certain textures, smells or tastes overwhelming or uncomfortable
• Some people worry that eating certain foods might make them choke or feel sick, this might be based on a previous difficult experience
• Some individuals may not eat as much or be interested in a variety of foods

Although people with ARFID may lose weight or have low weight, it can occur at any weight and varies in different people.

Rachel Megahy, Clinical Psychologist at NHS Borders, said: “While many of us may not be keen on certain foods or have friends that avoid specific ingredients such as mushrooms, fish or chillies; it’s important to understand that ARFID is a much more serious condition.

“ARFID can have a negative impact on someone’s physical health as well as their psychological wellbeing. For example, physical symptoms can include having a nutritional deficiency or being dependent on nutritional supplements. Then there can be psychological challenges such as anxiety around going out with friends or on holiday. Someone with ARFID can struggle to manage social occasions, make new friends, or establish close relationships due to the social aspect of eating.

“Too often, misconceptions about fussy eating trivialise this serious condition and the stigma and fear of judgement can mean that those with ARFID and their carers suffer in silence. We want to promote a better understanding of ARFID, for people to be able to spot the signs sooner and help more people get the support they deserve.”

If you, or someone you care about, is worried they may have an eating disorder, please speak to your GP or access the support available from the UK’s eating disorder charity Beat.